[connor92]

Hi Guys,

I've been driving around with this brown discoloration on my driver's side mirror for quite some time now. Do I need to replace the mirror glass or could it be something else? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

[gamesfrager]

If it's an auto dinming mirror then most likely the liquid inside is broken. I have seen something similar on a thread here.

[K9Leader]

Auto-dimming mirrors are filled with a liquid. When the seals fail and the fluid starts to leak out they take on that gold-toned look. It may be usable for a while but will eventually go opaque. It needs to be replaced. I've had this happen to the driver side view mirror on a '94 Lincoln Mark VIII and on the rearview mirror on a '00 Subaru Outback.

[connor92]

Thanks guys, I will look into replacement of the mirror.

[Fritzer]

There's no electronic in this, correct? It's purely a different mirror part # with the liquid that chemically causes the dimming?

[gamesfrager]

When I retrofitted folding mirrors, the plug to the mirror was different (my original was just heated), so now I have to find a cheap replacement mirror that's also autodim.

The autodim mirror had a black plastic frame around it, while my original heated only glass didn't.

And the autodim-heated glass is a different part number from just heated glass.

[freakystyly]

Checking Realoem shows S430A as the mirror type for auto dimming / heated, 51167144309 (non convex).

Non auto dimming blue tinted is 51167157247.

Or just pop it off and check #s, see DIY section.

I'm needing to replace one on the passenger side as well sometime. Ebay is sketchy at best for this type of part. Hope you are able to find a suitable manufacturer replacement without breaking the bank.

[connor92]

Got my mirror replaced. Thanks guys!

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by connor92

Got my mirror replaced. Thanks guys!

What did you go with?

[connor92]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

What did you go with?

The shop replaced my mirror with a non auto dimming one...don't know how I feel about that yet, my mirrors don't match

[e90yyc]

If I was in your position I’d be finding a new shop. I don’t know how they could possibly have thought it would be acceptable to install a plain mirror when the vehicle is equipped with auto dimming...

Every day I’m amazed at what supposed professionals do. This is why I work on my own car

[Emilime75]

I'm actually considering replacing mine with non dimming. With tinted windows I have a hard time seeing anything at night.

[connor92]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

If I was in your position I'd be finding a new shop. I don't know how they could possibly have thought it would be acceptable to install a plain mirror when the vehicle is equipped with auto dimming...

Every day I'm amazed at what supposed professionals do. This is why I work on my own car

I trust this shop, they're actually one of the better shops on island. BMW shops are limited out here, I don't have much of a choice honestly.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I'm actually considering replacing mine with non dimming. With tinted windows I have a hard time seeing anything at night.

You can disable the auto dimming feature through coding. Might be better than a physical replacement

[Emilime75]

They're also discoloring, like the OPs, plus they're like $300/ea

[Ti317]

I had the same problem and ended up getting a great condition used mirror. I did some research on my old mirror and found a workaround. Sadly, I cracked mine getting it out but it is possible to remove the mirror, take off the black plastic bezel and clean away the liquid sandwiched in the mirror.
I did mine even though the outer glass is broken and is is unusable. I used Dawn and a damp paper towel to clean both the glass and the mirroerd backing. I finished it up with alcohol and more clean paper towels. It looks like you could reassemble it and use it as a non dimming mirror with good effect.